I have been a full-time professional artist in Chicago for the past 13 years. My mural company, Gentile Designs, was incorporated soon after college. We specialize in unique, imaginative murals for residential and commercial children's spaces. It is only since 2000 that I began to focus on my fine art on canvas. My formal training includes undergraduate and continuing studies at the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Murals
Like most of us, I grew up creating “forts”, a place to let my imagination run wild. My mother, a visual display artist, was always happy to help design my getaways. Once out of art school, I began a mural company, Gentile Designs, Inc. It was my dream to inspire children by surrounding them with the images that inspire them most. I believe a mural can transform any room into a child’s paradise. Whether it is the mysterious jungle, the wild west, or a peaceful garden, the result is a personal space where they can escape.

Whether residential or commercial, whimsical or realistic, we can create a space unique enough for the kid in all of us. Our children’s murals have been featured many times on television and in magazines as part of a home makeover. For murals outside the Chicago area, we create custom canvases. Our mural canvases are hand-painted on durable canvas and hung just like wallpaper. The result looks and feels like it is custom painted directly to the wall. We also paint and sell artwork for children painted on stretched canvas. See our shows page for a listing of our upcoming showings.

After over a decade in the business, Gentile Designs has been featured many times in print and on televsion. In addition to residential and commercial murals, Heather has received many grants to paint public murals, including the City of Chicago and dozens of Chicago area schools and     churches. Heather's commercial mural and design clients include many retail stores including Gianni Versace, Henri Bendel, Virgin Records, Sony,  as well many well known Chicago restaurants.

Fine Art
With each painting, I attempt to convey a message through visual clues. My canvas is often divided into segments; just as a book is divided into pages. I use color, texture, pattern, and symbolism to tell my visual story.

Commissioned paintings are available. I enjoy working with my clients to create a custom painting rich in personal meaning. These painted heirlooms are called Memory Tapestries. Working with interior designers throughout the country my artwork has been featured many times in television and print media.

Each painting is an original, incorporating mixed media on canvas. My prices range from $400 (12”x24”) to $3,000 (60“ x 60“) and larger. My paintings are sold in some local Chicago galleries, but mostly I sell directly to the public through juried art shows or by visiting my studio. Contact us to see photos of the original paintings currently available.